With the government's compensation schemes getting stuck in bureaucratic hurdles, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of the Delhi government has started a unique sponsorship programme, asking people to do their bit in rehabilitating victims of sexual assault.

Under the scheme, any
individual or a company can sponsor a rape victim.

To start with, those wanting to help a rape victim will have to enroll themselves with the CWC first and whenever a case of rape or sexual assault is reported those sponsors will be contacted.

Under this scheme, currently, a database of sponsors is being created and they will sponsor the education, medical treatment or the entire rehabilitation of the victim.

"The sponsors can contribute in different ways, for instance, either by sponsoring the child's education or paying for her accommodation, medical treatment among others. We will not force anyone and it is entirely a voluntary exercise. We are quite hopeful that people will come forward and do their bit," said Ajay Singh, chairperson of east CWC.

Rehabilitation of a rape victim is crucial, especially if the victim is a minor and her relative is the accused.

"In cases of incest, we have noticed that family members are reluctant in filing a case. They fear the loss of livelihood if they file a case as their father will be arrested. By giving them interim compensation, we are encouraging them to come forward and file complaints," Singh added.

In Delhi, over 50% of those accused in rape cases are the relatives of the victim.

Last week too, the CWC had ordered a builder to pay Rs. 2 lakh to a rape victim's family as she was raped at a construction site, where the girl's parents were working as daily wage labourers. They have also ordered the local school authority to admit the girl and other siblings.

"In that case we have awarded the compensation within 10 days. In a similar way, the rehabilitation plan of Gandhi Nagar and Farsh Bazar rape victims will be finalised. Proper rehabilitation is the only way to help the victim to come out of the trauma she had faced," Singh further said.